Lucky William, a Grade One-winning novice chaser at the Punchestown Festival, will not be in action until the second half of the season.

Trained by Tom Cooper, the eight-year-old unseated his rider in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham but finished the season with a valuable win at Fairyhouse before lowering the colours of the likes of Blackstairmountain, First Lieutenant and Menorah in the Ryanair Novice Chase.

Cooper said: "He won't be back until the second half of the season. He got laid up a couple of weeks ago and it's just set him back."

He added: "It could be tough for him this season as we've got the likes of Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs who are second-season chasers."